A multi- million shilling market built by Arua municipal council at Awnindiri in Arua Hill division has turned to a dumping site, after vendors abandoned it over alleged high market dues charged by the council authorities.
Because of this, the market that was constructed under the local government development program (LGDP) five years ago is lying in waste. Vendors have now moved about one kilometer away and started a new market in Onzivu parish in Oulko sub county.
Scovia Andezu, one of the vendors who abandoned the market says they were forced to leave when the council started charging them 1000 shillings daily for using the stalls and over 500 shillings daily as market dues. According to her in their earlier agreement, the council had accepted to only levy 100 shillings for vendors who use the stalls and 50 shillings as market dues, but when the market was opened things changed leaving very many of them only to work for the council.
Many of the women who had occupied the market were petty traders who deal in food items and fruits to benefit the locals in the area but because of the charges, they have all gone to the new market.
Samirah Bako, another vendor who deals in vegetables says now in the new Onzivu market they only pay market dues and it depends on the size of the goods one comes with to the market. She says she has saved some money since she only pays between 50 to 200 shillings daily.
But when contacted on the issue, Charles Asiki, the Arua Municipality Mayor sounded surprised to hear that the vendors are being charged the amount they are claiming.
According to him the money that was being remitted to the council was only 100 shillings per vendor per day.
//Cue in: “the market rate for…”
Cue out…this market is not used.”//
He promised to investigate those behind the scam.
It is not only Awindiri market that has been abandoned because of the high market dues. River Oli Market that was constructed under the same program in Arua municipality is also in ruins because of the same claims.
